Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993 TAG: 9311040188
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Roanoke Planning Commission voted Wednesday to approve rezoning to permit Heafner Tires & Products to build a 20,000-square-foot distribution center on Thirlane Road. The site is near Valley Court, at the interchange of Interstate 581 and Hershberger Road.
The company, which employs 10 people in the valley, is now in leased space on Fourth Street in Salem.
Heafner officials said the Roanoke location would help the company better serve its customers within a 100-mile radius.
No one opposed the rezoning at Wednesday's public hearing. But a Roanoke Regional Airport official said he was concerned about the height and illumination of the proposed center, and electronic equipment that might interfere with airport operations.
John Katon, director of operations and maintenance for the airport, said he wanted to make sure the center won't hurt the airport.
City planners said Katon's concerns will be considered during the automobile center's site-plan review.
James McCraney, manager at the Salem center, has said that the company has yearly sales of more than $5 million in the Roanoke Valley.
The Roanoke site would be convenient to Interstate 81 and the United Parcel Service distribution center. Heafner uses UPS to ship some products, but the company has its own fleet of trucks for most shipping.
Heafner, which is based in Lincolnton, N.C., is a wholesale company that supplies retail automotive dealers, garages, service stations and other automobile-related businesses.
The company is buying the site from the Thomas J. Andrews heirs, who also own other land on Thirlane Road that is now taxed at the agricultural rate instead of on its development value.
City officials are studying a proposal to end the agricultural zoning and tax all land at its market value.
Landowners contend that the agricultural policy enables the owners to hold onto their property without financial hardship, then sell it for large, attractive developments that benefit the entire city.
There are 670 acres in the city with agricultural assessments. Much of it is in the vicinity of Valley View Mall and the I-581/Hershberger Road interchange.
by CNB